Spinning top



Oct. 22, 1935. 1 E. s. SAVAGE SPINNING TOP Filed Aug. 30, 1934 INVENTORATTORNEY An object of my invention is Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My present invention relates to spinning tops and more particularly tothat class of spinning tops, interest and enjoyment of which is largelydue to the production of changing color effects. to provide a top of theabove mentioned class in which novel, interesting and continuouslychanging color effects are produced. Another object is to provide a topof this character which will produce continuous and periodic colorchanges from the pure primary colors to various color blends, theperiodic changes occurring at a slow rate of speed, thus enhancing thebeauty of the color effects and giving opportunity for the interestingstudy of color blends. Another object is to provide a simple sheet metalframe for the top which will be suitable for rapid and low costproduction. A further object is to provide a simple, convenient andeasily operated means for spinning the top, which spinning means may beeasily attached and detached from the top and may remain attached to thetop while the top is spinning.

With these and other objects in view, the Invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, aswill be described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the top with the spinning means removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the top and the spinning meanswith the spinning means in operable position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tubular member of the spinningmeans;

Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of a modification of the spinningmeans shown in operative position and showing also adjacent members ofthe top in central section; and

Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of the clutch employed in the modificationof the spinning means shown in Fig. 4.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate thesame parts.

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, Iprovide a shaft I which is adapted to stand in a substantially verticalposition and is fitted atits lower end with a flanged sleeve 2 which isrigidly attached thereto. A cupped rubber foot or shoe 3 fits tightly onthe flanged sleeve 2 and serves to prevent rotation of the shaft I. Apinion 4 is fixedly carried by the shaft I, and is positioned above andin contact with a collar 5 wlf qh 15 formed on the shaft I and serves toprevent any possible slippage of the pinion 4 downwardly. A frame 6,preferably formed of stamped sheet metal, is journaled to turn about theshaft I, having bearings on shaft I at the points I and 8, the latter 5being located in the lower end of the cup 9, which forms a part of theframe 6. The lower end of the cup 9 also provides a thrust bearing, at9a, bearing against the flanged sleeve 2 and preventing downwardmovement of the frame 10 6 on the shaft I. It is preferable that theframe 5 be substantially circular in contour and thatits outer peripherybe curled upwardly and inwardly, as herein shown at 60.. The curledperiphery is advantageous in that it contributes 15 to the attractiveappearance of the top, it increases the weight of the periphery whichassists in sustaining rotation through momentum and it eliminates anyexposed cut metal edge at the periphery. A pinion III is journaled onthe shaft 20 I above the fixed pinion 4 and a gear II is carried by andturns with the pinion I0. The said pinion I0 is in engagement with thetoothed edges I2 of the discs I3, I4, I5,'and IS. The upper surfaces ofthese discs are coiored according to 25 a systematic design employing aplurality of colors and therefore I will hereinafter designate thesediscs I3, I4, I5, and I6 as color discs. The said color discs arepreferably all of equal diameter and are journaled on the frame 6, being30 disposed equi-distant about the shaft I. The said color discs I3, I4,I5, and I6 are supported at proper elevation upon bosses I1, I8, I9, and20, which bosses are struck up on the sheet metal frame 6. Looselyfitting eyelets 2i serve as jour- 35 nals for the said color discs. Thediametrically opposite bosses I1 and I8 are of equal height in relationto the frame 6 and the height of the bosses I9 and 20 is such as tosupport the color discs I5 and I6 at a slightly lower level, to per- 4,0mit free revolution" of all the color discs without interference orexcessive friction at the points 22 where the color discs I3 and I4overlap adjacent peripheries of the color discs I5 and I8. For purposesof strength durability and low cost 5 of production it is preferablethat the color discs l3, l4, I5, and I6 be made of sheet metal, cut andformed in dies.

The desired color effects could be produced in a top of this characterby utilizing sheet metal color 50 discs all of which are flat on theupper surfaces. There is however an element of danger in suchconstruction which lies in the possibility that a person may be cut orinjured by the sharp die- Gll fiilges of the color discs should he touchthe 53 said color discs when the top is spinning rapidly. To eliminatesuch element of danger I provide on the superimposed color discs I3 andI4, raised surfaces 23 and 24, adjacent to the toothed edges I 2, whichraised surfaces 23 and 24 are at a higher elevation than the saidtoothed edges I2. For the purposes of my invention it is only essentialthat the portion of the surfaces, 23 and 24, be raised which areimmediately adjacent to the toothed edges I2. In the drawing the wholesurfaces of the color discs I3 and I4 are shown raised above the toothededges thereof. In operation, when the top is spinning rapidly, should aperson touch the color discs he will contact only the raised portions 23and 24 of the color discs I3 and I4 and he is thereby prevented frommaking contact with the toothed edges I2 until the speed of the top isreduced to a rate at which it cannot cause injury.

Changing color effects, however produced, are most attractive when-thecolor changes occur at a rate slow enough to avoid eye fatigue and atsuch a rate that the color changing and blending of colors maybe clearlyand closely observed. It will be readily seen that, to produce slowcolor changing effects, when the frame 6 is spinning rapidly,necessitates a low gear ratio between the pinion 4 and the color discsI3, I4, I5, and I6. It is apparent that this result wouldbeaccomfplished if thesaid color discs were directly driven, a

without intermediate gearing, by the pinion 4 which is stationary'on theshaft I, provided said pinion 4 were sufliciently small in diameter. Itis howeverimpractical to make the above mentioned gear ratio between thepinion 4 and the said color discs sufficiently small in such a directdrive, without employing intermediate gearing,

onaccount of practical limitations involved. In

.1of Jone applies to; all. -disc is divided into three equal segmentaldivithis invention the required low gear ratio between the pinion 4 andthe color discs I3, I4, I5, and I 6 is secured by means of speedreduction gearing consisting of a gear train which comprises, a gear 25meshing with the pinion "4, a pinion 26 driven by the gear 25, the gearII driven by the pinion and-the pinion I0 driven by the gear II. Thepinion 26 and attached gear 25 are iournaled on the stud '21, the saidstud beingriveted to the frame 6 at '28. The members comprising theabove described gear train are all conveniently inclosed withinv acircular depressed portion 23 of the frame 6 forming a gear housing.

It :is apparent that many designs of difi'erent colors may'beapplied to.the color discs I3, I4, I5, and I6 which designs would give interestingresults'when the top was spinning. I prefer to employ a color scheme,illustrated herein, utilizing I only thethree primary colors, red, blue,and yelthe four color discs I3,

low. The color design of l4, I5, and I6 are identical so that adescription The surface of the color sions'i30, 3I, and 32 which arecolored respectively The color discs. I3, I4, I5,

' designs of all the'saidcolor discs are positioned "in line with theshaft TI and the blue segments 3i are identical each to the other inrelation to the shaft I andsimilarly the yelalike in relation to theshaft I. This positioning of the color discs is illustrated in Fig. 1where the-centers of the red segments are all directly positions of thelow segments'32 have identical positions in relation to the shaft I.Since all the color discs -.bea'r like (toothed peripheries I2 and allof said toothed peripheries mesh with the same pinion ID the color discsI3, I4, I5, and I6 will at all times bear synchronized relation to each.other while the top is spinning, resulting in the production of definiteand periodic cycles of like color changes, passing from pure primarycolors of red, blue and yellow and thru various blends of these colors.

It is evident that it would be possible to spin this top in the ordinarymanner by means of a 19 string wound on the hub 9. To obviate the use ofa string and to facilitate spinning the top I have provided an improvedform of spinning means which spinning means may be easily attached tothe top and easily detached therefrom. It is is preferable that thespinning means remain in position attached to the top while the top isspinning but for convenience in packing the parts in a small containerfor shipping purposes it is desirable to detach the spinning means fromthe 26 top. The preferred form of the spinning means is shown in Figs. 2and 3 and consists of a tube 33 carrying a tightly fitting cap 34 at theupper end thereof. The said'cap 34 is provided with an oblong hole 35located centrally of the upperface thereof and is adapted to form a freefitting threaded connection with the screw 46. The lower end ofthetube33 is cut to form a series of downwardly beveled teeth 36 whichfunction as a clutch drive member. A resilient detent 31 is formed onthe side of the tube 33 near the lower .end thereof andprojectsslightlyinward of the inner surface of the tube 33. Ihis-detent 31 maybe a simple indentationof the tube at-the point 31 anddependingonelasticity of the tube 33 for resiliency. For thepurpose -ofincreasing the resiliency of theidetent 31 it is preferable to cut awaya portion -.of the tube 33 as shown at 38 leaving a prong 39 withthedetent 31 located at the lower end of the-said prong 39. Asleeve 40is 4.5

journaled on the-shaft I and has limited vertical movement thereon. Acollar 4|, rigidly attached to the upper end of the shaft I, serves tolimit upwardmovementof the sleeve 4Iiand the upper end of the pinion-I3limits downward movement of the sleeve 46. A compression spring 42loosely surrounds the shaft I between the pinion I0 and the sleeve 40and acts tonormallysustain the sleeve 40 at its uppermostposition. Thesaid spring 42 extends upwardly-into a counterbore in'the lower end ofthe sleeve 40, the said spring 42 being entirely enclosed-within thecounter-bore 43 when the sleeve 40 isforceddown to its lower limit of amotion. The outer surface of the sleeve 40 is provided with a recess orgroove which coacts with 5 the detent 31 of the tube 33. The lower endof the tube 33 fits loosely over the sleeve 40 and is normally held inposition thereon by the detent31 which enters the groove 44 and contactsthe lower edge of the said groove 44, whereby thetube 33 63 is normallysupported with the teeth 36' slightly clearingthe upper end of thepinionI 0. The teeth 36 are spaced to interlock with and drivingly engage theupper ends of the teeth of the pinion II) at 45 when. the tube '33 isforced downward, in which event the pinion II! will function as thedriven member of acne-way clutch. The screw 46 is preferably-formed oftwisted fiat wire and fits freely within the tube'33 and is guidedthereby. A nub 41 projecting from the surface of the screw 46, adjacentthe lower end thereof, is adapted to contact the cap 34 and therebylimit upward movement of the screw 46. A handle 41*, which is preferablymade of wood, is drivingly connected to the upper end of the screw 46'thru a clutch means which engages when the handle 41 is pressed downwardand disengages when the said handle is lifted. This clutch meansconsists of a disc 48 carrying downwardly projecting prongs or teeth 49,the said disc 48 being fixed in the top of a hole 56 drilled in the woodhandle 41. A bushing fits tightly in a counterbore in the lower end ofthe hole 56, the hole in the bushing 5| being sized to permit freerotation of the handle 41 on the screw 46. Burrs 52, projecting fromopposite edges of the screw 46, prevent withdrawal of the said screw 46from the hole 56. A washer 53 serves as a thrust hearing between theburrs 52 and the bushing 5|, serving to reduce friction when the handle41 is being lifted.

In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 I have provided two clutchconnections between the handle 41 and the pinion l6, one at 49 in thehandle 41 and one at 36 at the lower end of the tube 33. It will bereadily seen that the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is operableshould the clutch connection 49 be eliminated and the handle 41 befastened rigidly to the top of the screw 46. If so constructed thedevice would operate as follows: Reciprocation of the screw 46vertically, while the handle 41 is grasped,

thus preventing rotation of the screw 46, will cause alternatelyreversing rotations of the tube 33 about the vertical axis thereof.During upward movement of the screw 46 the tube 33 remains at its upperposition with the clutch teeth 36 out of engagement with the pinion l6.Downward movement of the screw 46 will first cause the tube 33 and thesleeve 46 to be forced downward, causing the teeth 36 to engage with theupper end of the teeth of the pinion l6 at 45. Continuance of downwardmovement of the screw 46 will cause rotation of the pinion i6 andthereby rotation of the frame 6. When downward movement of the screw 46ceases the teeth 36 disengage from the pinion I6, the spring 42 thenacting to raise the sleeve 46 and the tube 33, thus permitting the frame6 to continue to rotate freely through momentum. Repeated oscillationsof the screw 46 at increasing downward speed will increase the speed ofthe spinning top. While this construction, with the handle 41 rigidilyattached to the screw 46, is operable in the manner above described, ithas been found to possess one inherent fault which frequently causesexcessive resistance to upward movement of the screw 46 while it isbeing operated to spin the top. This resistance or upward drag is oftensufficient to cause the top lifted bodily upward before the screw 46 hasbeen raised to its upper limit of motion in the tube 33. This resistanceor drag is due to gyroscopic action of the top tending to resist anytilting caused by the handle 41 while it is being reciprocated andthereby causing binding at the bearing surfaces of the sleeve 46. It isapparent that binding at the bearing surfaces of the sleeve 46 willprevent free rotation of the tube 33 about the shaft l resulting inresistance to free upward movement of the screw 46. To eliminate thisobjectionable binding action I have provided the previously describedclutch connection at 49 between the handle 41 and the screw 46. Thisclutch connection 49 disengages when the handle 41 is lifted therebypermitting the screw 46 to revolve freely, in the event that bindingoccurs at the bearing surfaces of the sleeve 46 and thereby preventingfree revolution of the tube 33. It may be noted that in thisconstruction all parts by removing the tube to be of the spinning meansremain stationary with the shaft i when the top is spinning freely.

It ispreferable that the connecting means between the shaft l, the frame6 and the pinion i6 be so related, as shown herein, that the frame 5perienced to operate the ordinary type of top. 1

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification of the spinning means in whichthe pinion I6 is provided with an upwardly extending hub 54. The tube 33is frictionally held in position on the said hub 54 and rotatestherewith. The upper end of the tube 33 is provided with a series ofbeveled teeth 36' which function as a driven clutch member. A tootheddisc 55 carries downwardly extending teeth 56 adjacent the peripherythereof, the said teeth 56 being adapted to engage with the teeth 36 onthe tube 33 and forming therewith a one-way clutch. The disc 55 isprovided with a centraly located oblong hole 35' adapted to threadedlyengage the screw 46'. The said disc 55 fits freely within a cap 51 andis adapted to rotate about its vertical axis therein. The cap 51 fitstightly the upper end of the tube 33 and is vertically positionedthereon to provide clearance above the tube teeth 36' for the disc 55 torevolve freely when the teeth 36' and 56 are out of engagement. A roundhole 58 thru the center of the cap 51 is sized to act as a free fittingguide for the screw 46. The wood handle 41' is fixedly attached to theupper end of the screw 46'. When the screw 46' is lifted the disc 55revolves freely within the cap 51 causing the teeth 56 to over-run theteeth 36'. Downward movement of the screw 46' will first cause the disc55 to move down and so cause the teeth 36' to drivingly engage the teeth56. Continuance 4,5 of downward movement of the screw 46' will causerotation of the tube 3' and thereby the pinion l6 and the frame 6 willbe rotated. This spinning means may be detached from the top 33' fromthe hub 54. In this modified construction all parts of the spinningmeans revolve with the pinion [6' when the top is spinning freely.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis: 1. In a spinning top, an upright supporting shaft adapted forendwise ground contact, a frame rotatably mounted upon the shaft, 2.drive member journaled upon the shaft and connected to the frame throughspeed reduction driving 00 means and vertically disposedspinning meanssupported by the shaft and axially in line therewith, said spinningmeans being adapted to engage the drive member and apply rotationalforce thereto, said spinning means comprising a vertically reciprocablescrew, a handle attached to the upper end of the said screw, arevolvable tube in which the screw reciprocates and with which the saidscrew has threaded connection, and clutch connection between the screwand the drive member.

2. In a spinning top, an upright supporting shaft adapted for endwiseground contact, a frame rotatably mounted upon the shaft, verticallydisposed spinning means supported by the 16 shaft and axially in linetherewith and being adapted to engage the frame and apply rotary forcethereto, said spinning means comprising a vertically reciprocable screw,a handle connected to the upper end of the said screw through a one-wayclutch drive, a revolvable tube in which the screw reciprocates, and aone-way clutch connection between the tube and the frame,

whereby downward force applied to the handle, while it is grasped toprevent it from turning, will cause engagement of both of said clutchconnections and will cause rotational force to be applied to the frame,and upward movement of the'handle will release both of said clutchconnections.

3. In a spinning top, an upright supporting shaft adapted for endwiseground contact, a frame rotatably mounted upon the shaft, drive clutchmeans associated with the frame andconcentric with the shaft, a sleevefree upon the shaft positioned above the frame and having limitedvertical movement on the shaft, a spring acting to normally sustain thesleeve at its upper limit of movement, and manually operable spinningmeans positioned above the frame and axially in line with the shaft,carrying driving clutch means at its lower end, said spinning meansbeing supported by the sleeve and having vertical movement therewith.

4. -In a spinning top, a shaft, a frame rotatably mounted thereon, twosets of exteriorly exposed color discs arranged upon and mounted forrotation on said frame and journaled eccentric to the shaft, the firstset of discs being provided with toothed peripheries and superimposedand partially overlapping the second set of discs, the overlapping first"set of discs having portions ad- Jacent to and raised above the toothedperiph-' eries thereof and constituting guards thereagainst, and meanson the shaft for engagement with said discs for imparting rotary motionto the discs relative to the frame when the frame 2 is rotated. V

EDWARD S. SAVAGE.

